Gordon Ramsay seeks to turn Meson de Mesilla fortunes as part of 'Hotel Hell' TV show (Las Cruces)
LAS CRUCES Celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay and FOX network's "Hotel Hell" crew are already hard at work trying to bring Meson de Mesilla out of a rut and turn it into a successful hotel.
"I was really kind of surprised," said Meson de Mesilla owner, Cali Szczawinski. "What's "hell' about that (Meson de Mesilla)? For me, hell was not having customers."
Meson de Mesilla was built in 1984. When Szczawinski took over the place in 2006, it went through a lot of ups and downs. First, it was shut down for remodeling for more than a year. Then, it opened in 2008 and was sort of an upscale jazz hangout that quickly closed and sat empty for more than a year again. She opened it once again in 2011, deciding to take business into her own hands rather than work with people who would drop out of business on her at the last minute and leave her hanging, she said.
"I was devastated, disgusted and tired," she said. "When leasers left, I pretty much hated this place. I fell back in love with it after I reopened it."
More, including video, at http://www.lcsun-news.com/las_cruces-news/ci_23479271/famed-chef-gordon-ramsay-seeks-turn-meson-de .